History

Christ Church Moreton Hall was planted by a single group of Christians from different denominations at the instigation of the Council of Churches for Bury St Edmunds, with the consent of the vicar of St Mary’s. Separate groups of Christians did not gather together to form a new Church.

It has always been envisaged that Christ Church Moreton Hall would be a single body working ecumenically in the clearly defined mission area of Moreton Hall estate. Moreton Hall estate was designated a mission area by both Diocese and Churches Together in Bury St Edmunds and District and recognised as such by Churches Together in Suffolk.

The local geography of the A14 bypass and the railway line make it a separate area from the rest of Bury St Edmunds. The Borough has designated Moreton Hall to be a new community Distinct and separate from the rest of Bury St Edmunds. That is why it is developing new community resources there. The concept of being a new mission Church is a powerful and unifying feature in the character and self understanding of the Church members.

Timeline

Oct 1983

The Church began

Sep 1987

A Church Army captain was appointed

Sep 1990

A Conventional District was created

Jan 1991

Land negotiated from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and building appeal launched

Dec 1993

Christ Church Moreton Hall opened for the first service

Jul 1994

Dedication of Christ Church & Creation of New Parish from the parishes of St James’s, St Mary’s, Holy Innocents Great Barton, and St Mary’s Rougham